La Rompecabezas
What's your name?
Mariandrea Cruz
Where are you based?
Buga, a small city in Colombia
Tell us about what your ordinary day looks like.
I'm a chemical engineer working from home at an EduTech startup. I'm very passionate about our mission to transform Latin America's economy through online education. When I'm not working, you can find me in my living room doing a new puzzle or crafting. I'm usually indoors, but I also enjoy hiking to a nearby mountain on Sundays or biking with my husband on our tandem bike.
How did you get into the world of puzzling?
When I was a girl, I used to spend afternoons at my grandparents' house. My grandfather had a small puzzle collection, and he let me play with a 100-piece puzzle because it was the easiest. I assembled and disassembled it so many times that I learned it by heart. I even used to put it together with the pieces facing backward. My grandfather passed away when I was six. I have the best memories of him. He was a very wise and curious man, always learning something new.
When I got a little older, my grandma let me play with the bigger puzzles. I was obsessed! There was a big work table in the back of the house, and we always had a puzzle in progress on that table. It was a family activity, with a constant rotation of cousins, uncles, and aunts dropping by to add a piece or two while chatting and drinking coffee. Years later, when my grandma was sadly no longer with us, I inherited all those puzzles that were a big part of my childhood. It was the beginning of my own collection, which I slowly started adding to once I had my first job.
What makes you keep puzzling & how often do you puzzle?
Nowadays, I puzzle every day. As soon as I'm done with work, I'm choosing my next puzzle. I was mostly a casual puzzler until we moved to a bigger house back in 2021, where I got a nice, cozy space with beautiful natural light and a dedicated table for my puzzles. The real turning point, however, was discovering Puzzlegram and connecting with a community of hundreds of amazing people from all over the world who share the same passion. I went from maybe 20-30 puzzles to a (honestly a little concerning) 400-puzzle collection in a couple of years.
Two years ago, I joined my first speed puzzling competition, and that's when I realized I had discovered a hobby within a hobby. I take speed puzzling very seriously, and I am currently Colombia's national champion. This year, I attended my first World Jigsaw Puzzle Competition, and even though I couldn't get through to the final round, it was the experience of a lifetime for me. I plan to keep going every year.
What is your favorite type of puzzles?
My favorite puzzles are illustrations with vibrant colors. I really enjoy the super busy cartoon style, full of details and easter eggs. I also like to buy mini puzzles from the places I visit as a souvenir of my trips. Lastly, I can never have enough gradient and rainbow-style puzzles!
During puzzling sessions, do you listen to anything or puzzle in silence?
When I practice speed puzzling, I prefer not to listen to music because I lose focus. I wear earphones during competitions, but they are only to help isolate me a bit from external noises. However, in a casual speed session, I enjoy listening to music, podcasts or to whatever show my husband is watching in the background.
If you were to describe what puzzling means to you, what would it be?
It's my favorite time of the day. There are no words to describe how much I enjoy the process of turning chaos into a beautiful picture. Puzzling is also a way to stay connected to my roots, to my grandparents, and to the house where I grew up.
Tell us about your other interests & joys.
Although nowadays puzzling takes up most of my free time, I've always been a crafter. I enjoy cross-stitch, crochet, and origami. Traveling is definitely my favorite hobby; when I'm not traveling, I'm planning a new trip. I love exploring new places and getting to know different cities, foods, and cultures. I'm also a big fan of all things Disney, and one of my dreams is to visit every Disney Park around the world (seven done, five to go!). More recently, I've developed an interest in physical activities like jogging, hiking, and Pilates, which bring me joy and help me stay active.
Do you have anything you want to share?
Shoutout to our National Puzzling Association: Rompecabezas Colombia. We're a thriving, close-knit and welcoming community that keeps growing every day. We meet online monthly to race casually, but mostly to chat and get to know each other. And, if you need a good excuse to visit Colombia, we host an international competition each January or February. Come and join us!